Feeling safe at an all inclusive resort now

One of the top questions our travel advisors get asked concerns the health and safety standards put in place by resorts and hotels.

Since travelers are tending to prefer shorter flights, Mexico has emerged as one of the top destination options. A recent study shows beach vacations ranked as the top desired getaway for the last four months of 2020. And few places do beach and all-inclusive better than Mexico.

In this article by Jonathan Hermann for the Travel Leaders Network, we can take a look at how all-inclusive brands have addressed health and safety concerns to make them an attractive option for your next getaway.

By now,  we’ve learned a new set of vocabulary for terms that we never knew existed before. One of those new terms is “bubble”. We hear about it in professional sports with players limiting their interaction with outside elements.

The same concept is being applied with many of the all-inclusive resort complexes. Employees are tested and monitored for COVID symptoms on a daily basis.  Resort guests go through health checks upon arrival. Occupancy of the resorts is limited to allow for social distancing. And all food, beverage, entertainment and activity is provided in a contained environment which limits outside interaction.

The beach at Dreams Natura set up for Social Distancing

In addition to this safe zone concept that all-inclusive resorts offer, most have adapted a common set of enhanced protocols:

• Transportation from the airport to the hotel is included with most all-inclusive resort stays. Transportation companies have limited capacity of their vehicles to 50% or less or single family units to allow for social distancing. Increased sanitization includes sprays and wipes of all touch surfaces, hand sanitizer, protective shields between drivers and passengers, and required use of masks.
• Arrival Health Checks – upon arrival at your resort you will undergo a health check that involves a checklist of symptoms, temperature and/or oxygen level readings, and sanitization of your shoes, luggage and hands.
• Check In Process – many hotels now offer contactless check-in through your cell phone. Where front desk interaction is required, there are social distancing markers and protective shields in place between check-in staff and guests.
• Employee Protocols – all employees are required to wear masks, and in many cases use gloves. Employees undergo daily health screening and temperature checks, and walk through sanitization tunnels upon reporting for work.
• Guest Room Cleaning – most hotels seal guest room doors to confirm that cleaning has been completed. There is enhanced cleaning of all surfaces and linens. Removal of multi-use amenities and bath items have been replaced with one time use items. Personal hand sanitizers and health kits are common added amenities.
• Restaurants – seating has been removed to allow for proper social distancing in dining environments. Most self-serve buffet restaurants have been replaced with server assisted or a la carte menu options. Many restaurants have transitioned to digital menus on cell phone apps or one time use disposable menus. Many hotels offer contactless room service options for in-room dining.
• Pool and Beach Areas – with hotel occupancies limited by government mandate in most destinations, there is plenty of outdoor space to social distance. Pool and beach lounge chairs have been removed and distanced between groupings. Frequent cleaning of hard and soft surfaces is either at a scheduled time or after each use.